Apparatus and method for a batter&#39;s training mat

ABSTRACT

A batting training system is disclosed, the system including but not limited to a baseball plate having visible color-coded pitch location indicators thereon; and a matt adjacent the baseball plate, the matt having colored zones that match a pitch location indicator color, wherein a batter is trained to look to the zone that matches the pitch location indicator for a ball. A method is disclosed for using the system to train a batter.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is based on and claims priority from U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62,671,60 filed on May 15, 2019 and entitled A Batting Practice Mat, by Bre Shon Kimbrell, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety and U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/035,138 filed on Jun. 5, 2020 by Bre Shon Kimbrell and entitled Apparatus and Method for a Batter's Training Mat, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety, this application is also a continuation in part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16,411,612 entitled System and Method for Training A Batter, filed on May 14, 2019 by Bre Shon Kimbell, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Hitting a pitched baseball is both physically difficult and emotionally rewarding.

There are numerous systems and method for helping and training a batter to hit a baseball.

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to baseball hitting training aids.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is a system and method for training a batter to keep their head and vision in a restricted area to improve power and efficiency for hitting a baseball depending on the location of the baseball with respect of home plate. A batting training system is disclosed, the system including but not limited to a baseball plate having visible color-coded pitch location indicators thereon; and a matt adjacent the baseball plate, the matt having colored zones that match a pitch location indicator color, wherein a batter is trained to look to the zone that matches the pitch location indicator for a ball. A method is disclosed for using the system to train a batter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a top view schematic depiction of an illustrative embodiment of the invention depicting a batting mat with colored regions to facilitate developing muscle memory to maintain the head and eye stability and improve efficiency while hitting a baseball off of a baseball hitting tee;

FIG. 2 is a top view schematic depiction of an illustrative embodiment of the invention depicting a batting mat with colored regions to facilitate head and eye stability and efficiency while hitting a baseball off of a baseball hitting tee showing a batter's box, home plate and a first marker circle for placement of a batter's back foot on the right side of the home plate for a left handed batter and a second marker circle for placement of a batter's back foot on the left side of the home plate for a right handed batter;

FIG. 3 is a top view schematic depiction an illustrative embodiment of the present invention showing placement of a baseball on a baseball hitting tee on the outside portion of home plate for a righthanded batter;

FIG. 4 is a top view schematic depiction an illustrative embodiment of the present invention showing placement of a baseball on a baseball hitting tee on the center portion of home plate for a righthanded batter;

FIG. 5 is a top view schematic depiction an illustrative embodiment of the present invention showing placement of a baseball on a baseball hitting tee on the inside portion of home plate for a righthanded batter; and

FIG. 6 is a top view schematic depiction an illustrative embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a top view schematic depiction an illustrative embodiment of the present invention

FIG. 8 is a top view schematic depiction an illustrative embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 9 is a top view schematic depiction an illustrative embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 10 is a top view schematic depiction an illustrative embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 11 is a top view schematic depiction an illustrative embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 12 is a top view schematic depiction an illustrative embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In a particular illustrative embodiment of the invention, a batting training system is provided, the system including but not limited to a baseball plate having visible color-coded pitch location indicators thereon; and a matt adjacent the baseball plate, the matt having colored zones that match a pitch location indicator color, wherein a batter is trained to look to the zone that matches the pitch location indicator for a ball. In another particular illustrative embodiment of the invention, the system further includes but is not limited to a tee for holding a ball at a location of one of the pitch location indicators for hitting by batter in training.

In another particular illustrative embodiment of the invention, a method is disclosed for training a batter, is disclosed, the method including but not limited to placing a ball on a tee located on a home plate having color-coded pitch location indicators; and placing a matt adjacent the baseball plate, the matt having colored zones that match a pitch location indicator color, wherein a batter is trained to look to the zone that matches the pitch location indicator for the ball. In another particular illustrative embodiment of the invention, the ball is the same color as the pitch location indicator.

In another particular illustrative embodiment of the invention a 20/20 Hitting Mat is a 12′×7′ hitting mat is disclosed that is used for both baseball and softball. It has both batter's box dimensions on the same mat, so the customer would only have to purchase the one for either sport. The mat has two colored planes, on the helps the hitter with head control for middle to middle-away pitches by keeping their head down at contact. This method of body control is used with a tee placed at the front of the plate with the batter trained to land at the front of the plate where the black lines lay in the batter's box. For an away location the tee is place about 4-6 inches behind the front corner on the farthest part of the plate to work on a pitch away hitting a ball to the opposite field. Same philosophy applies as mentioned above with keeping their head and eyes down looking at the colored section farthest from the position of the hitter. Another method or a more advanced method used to practice this training is side toss with a toss to the same impact position as the tee, but strengthening the concentration effect during this phase of hitting a moving ball with keeping the head still and eyes on the ball. The second color helps the hitter control their head from pulling off of the inside pitch keeping the batter's chin in the lane. Stressing the point that the batter's head can not rotate past the baseline to the pull side of the batter. When the training session for this section, the batter will line the ball up on a tee, side toss from a partner across the plate or front toss from the pitching angle. The hitting mat also has the letters “MAT” on top of the plate to help both the hitter and coach/instructor identify the thirds of the plate. Along with identification, we have the numbers 2 and 0 on each side of the plate to help hitters or coach/instructor identify a ball that is one or two ball widths off the plate. Inside the batter's box, there is a black line at the front of the plate that will extend from one top corner of the batter's box to the other top corner so that hitters can recognize where the ball enters the zone.

The hitting mat will come with a Velcro strip as an accessory to help with the linear stride towards the pitcher. Our mat is unique from our competitors because of all the items we just mentioned. Most hitting mats are very basic with only two batter's boxes and a plate. Everyone needs a Hitting mat to train, why not use one that provides a purpose to enhance a hitters “feel” at the dish?

FIG. 1 is a schematic depiction of an illustrative embodiment of the invention depicting a batting mat 100 with colored regions to facilitate head and eye stability and efficiency while hitting a baseball off of a baseball hitting tee. The “20 20 Matt™” as a particular embodiment is called is rounded on the field end of the matt to blend with the field 109. Different colored regions are provided 101, 102, 103, 104 and 105 on the batting mat. In a particular illustrative embodiment, region 101 is yellow, region 102 is red, region 103 is blue and region 104 is orange. A batter typically uses only three or less of the colored regions at a time depending on the placement of the batting tee 107 and baseball 106 on home plate.

FIG. 2 is a schematic depiction of an illustrative embodiment of the invention depicting the batting mat 100 (as depicted in FIG. 1) with colored regions to facilitate a heater's head and eye stability and efficiency while hitting a baseball off of the baseball hitting tee 107. As shown in FIG. 2, a batter's box 108 comprising regions 204,205 201206 and 207, home plate 202 and a first marker circle 203 for placement of a righthanded batter's back foot on the right side of the home plate for a lefthanded batter and a second marker circle 208 for placement of a batter's back foot on the left side of the home plate for a righthanded batter. In particular illustrative embodiment of the invention the mat 100 and batter's box 108 is made from a single piece of synthetic turf like material.

For example, a righthanded hitter would only use three colored regions 101, 102 and 103. The righthanded batter places his or hers back foot on foot placement dot 203. The mat and batter's box and mat are one piece. The ball being placed an outside pitch 106 as shown in FIG. 3. The eyes stay on region 101 for outside pitch through contact and extension. The batter sees the ball at 5 feet from the plate when pitched from a pitching mound. Keeping the eyes and head down on region 101 through extension trains the batter to keep the head down looking at region 101 through extension of hitting the ball rather than raising the head and missing the pitched baseball. When the back shoulder meets the chin on the swing follow through is complete through extension. For center pitches as shown in FIG. 4, the head and eyes stay down on region 102 through extension. For inside pitches as shown in FIG. 5, the head and eyes stay down on region 103 through extension. The colored mat is superior to cones for training hitting of a baseball as the colors allow the hitter more leeway and a natural swing.

For example, a lefthanded hitter would only use three colored regions 102, 103 and 104. The lefthanded batter places his or hers back foot on foot placement dot 208. The mat and batter's box and mat are one piece. The ball being placed an outside pitch 106 as shown in FIG. 5. For outside pitches, the eyes stay on region 104 for outside pitch through contact and extension. The batter sees the ball at 5 feet from the plate when pitched from a pitching mound. Keeping the eyes and head down on region 104 through extension trains the batter to keep the head down looking at region 104 through extension of hitting the ball rather than raising the head and missing the pitched baseball. When the back shoulder meets the chin on the swing follow through is complete through extension. For center pitches as shown in FIG. 4, the head and eyes stay down on region 103 through extension. For inside pitches as shown in FIG. 5, the head and eyes stay down on region 102 through extension. The colored mat is superior to cones for training hitting of a baseball as the colors allow the hitter more leeway and a natural swing. For a high fast ball down the middle of the plate, which is simulated by raising the ball and tee and placing them on the center of the plate, the hitter focuses on region 105, which is colored white in a particular illustrative embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a schematic depiction of the present invention showing placement of a baseball on a baseball hitting tee on the outside portion of home plate for a righthanded batter.

FIG. 4 is a schematic depiction of the present invention showing placement of a baseball on a baseball hitting tee on the center portion of home plate for a righthanded batter.

FIG. 5 is a schematic depiction of the present invention showing placement of a baseball on a baseball hitting tee on the inside portion of home plate for a righthanded batter.

FIG. 6 is a top view schematic depiction an illustrative embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 6, in a particular illustrative embodiment of the invention, the present invention provides a hitting tool to help keep the hitter's head and eyes down through contact of the baseball to create a more flush/consistent contact of the hitter's bat with a baseball. Each pitch location is colored with the matching extension color. This gives the hitter instant feed if they pull their eyes and head off of the ball, if the color doesn't match then maybe the hitter got around the baseball or were late. In the particular illustrative embodiment, the system and method create muscle memory for more successful contact transferred from the batting cage using the present invention to a game with a live pitched baseball. The present invention trains the to create muscle memory and focus on execution of the swing rather than the hitter's swing result. Hitter's tend to look up to see where the hit baseball is going instead of keeping their head down through the swing. The present invention enables and trains a hitter to keep their head down and eyes on a particular color or region of the mat depending on pitch location.

Turning now to FIG. 7, there are 7 baseball positions (pitch locations) that should be hit as they travel from the pitcher's mound and across the plate (Black to Black) and 2 baseball positions that are just off of the plate. The inventor likes to teach hitters to hit the 2 pitch locations off because umps aren't perfect, neither are hitter, so teaching the right limits to hitting that off the plate pitch is key for hitters trying to get to the next level. The 20/20 mat will help hitters identify depth of pitches, contact points, eyes at contact through extension. All while having instant feedback if the hitter is late, rolling over, pulling off, or having a hard time controlling the head through the zone with precision.

For hitters using the Mat will see 5 colored zones, but will only actually use 4 of the 5 zone. One of the zones is a “No Zone”, which the hitters will attempt to keep their heads away from. The “land”, the batter should be in in-line with the line in the batter's box for the 5 colored zones to match with the contact points. The Zone 1 will be for away pitches closer to the black, hitting the ball to the opposite field to the line (yellow). Zone 2 is for hitters hitting the ball on the middle to outer third of the plate driving the ball to the gap (Red). Zone 3 is for pitches over the middle of the dish. Hitters should keep their heads down through extension on these pitches and should produce gap to gap results if executed correctly (Black). Zone 4 are for the balls on the inner third of the plate and it will help hitters from pulling off on these pitches (Blue). Hitters will catch more barrels because they are forced to keep their head in the zone and now the pitch players regret missing . . . now they are rockets off the bat. The black line outlining the mat represents the top of the Zone. If you drive a ball at the top of the strike zone you should see the zone/closer to or combined with the black line. Its significance is more of the limitation of the eye contact. It allows hitters to visualize an end point for hitters to understand not to raise above it.

The 20/20 mat is hitter's tool for Tee work, side toss, and front toss training the body to remember contact zones. From tee ball to professional baseball this is a practiced, acquired skill, keeping the eyes on the ball through extension, and this mat gives hitters more of a visualization gaining muscle memory for a lifetime of success at the home plate.

FIG. 8 is a top view schematic depiction an illustrative embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 9 is a side view schematic depiction an illustrative embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 10 is a top view schematic depiction an illustrative embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 11 is a top view schematic depiction an illustrative embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 12 is a top view schematic depiction an illustrative embodiment of the present invention. 

1. A system, the system comprising: a mat having a front region and a back region; a baseball plate having a plurality of color-coded pitch location indicators thereon; and wherein the front region of the mat is in front of the baseball plate, the front region of mat having a plurality of colored zones that match a color-coded pitch location indicator color, wherein the colored zone indicates to a batter where to look while hitting a ball, wherein a batter is trained to look to the colored zone that matches the color-coded pitch location indicator for a ball; and a batting tee, wherein the batting tee is placed on one of the plurality of color-coded pitch location indicators on the baseball plate for training the batter training the batter to keep their head steady on the color-coded zone matching the pitch location indicator color during a swing at the ball on the tee.
 2. The system of claim 1, the system further comprising: a circular region formed on the back portion of the mat, wherein the circular region is a foot position indicator for a batter to placing a batter's foot on while hitting a ball off the batting tee and maintaining the batter' head and eye stability toward a zone located on the front forward of the batting tee and baseball plate.
 3. A method for training a batter, the method comprising: placing a ball on a batting tee on a first color-coded pitch location indicator on a baseball plate on a back region of a mat, so that a batter sees one of a plurality of color-coded zones formed on a front region of the mat, wherein the front region of the mat is located in front of the baseball plate, wherein the color coded zones indicate to the batter where to look while hitting a ball off of the batting tee on the for training the batter while hitting a baseball.
 4. Currently Amended) The method of claim 3, wherein the color-coded zone is a same color as the pitch location indicator, the method further comprising: training a batter to keep a batter's head stationary toward the color-coded zone matching the pitch location indicator color during a swing at the ball on the tee. 